Lucknow: UP BJP OBC Morcha on Thursday paid tributes to Ahilyabai Holkar on her death anniversary, using the occasion to accuse SP chief Akhilesh Yadav of disrespecting the 18th-century ruler and social reformer.OBC Morcha state president Prakash Pal highlighted Ahilyabai Holkar’s contributions to temple restoration, women’s empowerment and social welfare. He said the Holkar ruler played a key role in rebuilding and renovating several temples and pilgrimage centres across the country and worked for the uplift of tribal and marginalised communities.Attacking the SP chief, Pal posed three questions to Akhilesh Yadav and sought an explanation for what he described as an “insult” to Ahilyabai Holkar. He questioned whether Yadav was opposed to the restoration of temples associated with Ahilyabai’s legacy, whether he was uncomfortable with her contribution to Sanatan traditions and whether her association with the Pal-Baghel-Holkar community was a factor behind the disrespect.Pal said Holkar’s legacy transcended caste and community. Holkar, he said, remained a symbol of good governance, public welfare and national unity. “Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar is not the heritage of any particular caste or group but of the entire nation. It is our collective responsibility to carry her life and contributions to the younger generation,” he said.
